PsyArXiv
September 8, 2026
Peter Aungle, Francesco Pagnini
preprint
Objectives. Chems-Maarif et al. (2025) propose a refined definition of mindfulness for psychological science and exclude Langer’s socio-cognitive construct on the grounds that it is empirically differentiated from Buddhist-inspired conceptualizations. This commentary offers a perspective on that exclusion.Methods. We examine two questions. First, what does the factor-analytic separation between...
BMC Women's Health
July 4, 2025
Federica Facchin, Francesca Grosso, Emanuela Saita et al.
Background: Endometriosis presents diagnostic challenges and has profound impacts, encompassing physical and psychological symptoms, relationship difficulties, and disruptions in daily life. The emotional burden is pervasive, intensified by feelings of anxiety, depression, guilt, and shame. Despite extensive exploration of risk factors such as pelvic pain, knowledge about protective factors for...
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration
February 2022
Francesco Pagnini, Deborah Phillips, Anne Haulman et al.
Objectives: Mindfulness-based interventions seem to be effective in promoting QOL of ALS patients and caregivers, but most require substantial time. In the Langerian approach, mindfulness can be easily promoted with mental tasks and short lectures. This study aims to explore the impact of an ALS-specific online Langerian mindfulness training program on QOL of ALS patients. Methods: We developed...
Multiple Sclerosis Journal
April 2019
Cesare Cavalera, Marco Rovaris, Laura Mendozzi et al.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) has a relevant impact on quality of life (QOL) and is associated with increased risks of psychological morbidity. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are among the most studied interventions, although few well-conducted studies have tested them in this field. Furthermore, the participation in typical MBIs may be impaired by time and logistics. We aimed to test the...
European Journal of Neurology
April 2017
Francesco Pagnini, Anna Marconi, Aurora Tagliaferri et al.
Studies investigating psychological interventions for the promotion of well-being in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are lacking. The purpose of the current study was to examine the use of an ALS-specific mindfulness-based intervention for improving quality of life in this population. A randomized, open-label and controlled clinical trial was conducted on the efficacy of an...
Psychology, Health & Medicine
September 2016
Anna Marconi, Gaia Gragnano, Christian Lunetta et al.
There is a lack of studies about psychological interventions for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and their caregivers. We investigated the experience of a meditation training program tailored for ALS needs. People with ALS (pALS) and their caregivers that joined a meditation program for ALS were interviewed at the end of the program. Verbatims were analyzed with a qualitative...
Trials
January 4, 2016
Cesare Cavalera, Francesco Pagnini, Marco Rovaris et al.
Mindfulness-based interventions, modified and shortened versions of meditation teachings, have proved to be effective in the improvement of quality of life in many clinical conditions, including chronic diseases. Preliminary results available in the literature and in clinical experience indicate a high potential for this treatment for the reduction of psychological suffering in people with...
Frontiers in Psychology
June 17, 2014
Bassam Khoury, Ellen J. Langer, Francesco Pagnini
In this paper we review the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental health (DSM), its scientific bases and utility. The concepts of "normality," "pathology," and boundaries between them are critically reviewed. We further use the concepts of mindfulness and mindlessness, and evidence from cognitive and social sciences to investigate the DSM clinical and social impact and we argue against...
BMC Psychiatry
June 2, 2008
Gian Mauro Manzoni, Francesco Pagnini, Gianluca Castelnuovo et al.
Relaxation training is a common treatment for anxiety problems. Lacking is a recent quantitative meta-analysis that enhances understanding of the variability and clinical significance of anxiety reduction outcomes after relaxation treatment. All studies (1997-2007), both RCT, observational and without control group, evaluating the efficacy of relaxation training (Jacobson's progressive...